Student aid: here's what you need to know
There's hardly any other topic in college life that sparks as many different theories and bizarre stories as student aid. Yet this is a form of financial support that makes student life - with its study sessions, cafeteria meals, and wild house parties - possible for many young people in the first place.
So it's time to clear up all the misinformation and misconceptions and shed some light on the matter. Here's everything you need to know about student aid - from ECTS credits and academic transcripts to important deadlines.
Student aid and proof of academic performance
First things first: just like with family allowance for students, you must provide proof of academic performance to receive student aid. So, unfortunately, you can't just laze around and fill your days with nothing but sleeping, gaming, and partying. Because if you can't submit the proof of academix progress required for the student grant, it could, in the worst-case scenario, result in having to repay the entire amount. And we definitely want to avoid that.
How many ECTS credits do I need for the student grant?
If you're newly enrolled in a degree program and receiving a student grant for it, you don't have to provide proof of academic progress right at the start of your studies or after the first semester. Instead, you have two full semesters to attend courses and earn the ECTS credits required for the student grant.
But be careful! In each stage of study, a different number of ECTS credits is required by the end of the second semester:
- For bachelor's or diploma programs, the requirement is 30 ECTS credits. (as of 2026)
- For master's programs, the requriement is 20 ECTS credits. (as of 2026)
- For doctoral or PhD programs, the requirement is 12 ECTS credits. (as of 2026)
If you can submit proof of academic performance for the program for which you receive a student grant after completing the second semester, your eligibility for the grant for the following semesters is secured. You will not need to submit the next proof of academic performance for the student grant until the end of the sixth semester. And for this, different requirements apply to all stages of study:
- For bachelor's or diploma programs, it is 90 ECTS credits. (as of 2026)
- For master's programs, it is 90 ECTS credits. (as of 2026)
- For doctoral or PhD programs, it is proof of positive progress on the dissertation. (as of 2026)
Good to know: Since the winter semester 2024, several new guidelines have been introduced. In the future, sutdents in Bachelor's, Diplom, and Master's programs will be required to submit proof of academix progress for the student grant even after the 8th semester, amounting to 120 ECTS credits.
What happens if I drop out of college?
Let's be honest: who really knows right after high school graduation where their career path will lead? Probably very few people. That's why it happens from time to time that students start a degree program and realize after one or, at the latest, two semesters that it doesn't quite match their wishes and expectations.
Basically, dropping out isn't a problem. However, to avoid having to repay your student aid, there are a few things to keep in mind.
If you drop out right after the first semester and enroll in a different program instead, you'll still need to provide proof of academic progress to continue receiving student aid. The difference, however, is that you can demonstrate the required ECTS credits for the respective stage of study either by splitting them equally between both programs or by completing them entirely in one. If, on the other hand, you find yourself in a situation where you want to drop out after the second semester, you must still demonstrate a minimum level of academic progress. This always compromises half of the regular ECTS credits:
- 15 ECTS credits for bachelor's and diplma programs. (as of 2026)
- 10 ECTS for master's programs. (as of 2026)
- 6 ECTS for doctoral and PhD programs. (as of 2026)
Student Aid: Proof of academic performance and deadlines
Whether you are receiving student aid as a working student or a full-time student, you must submit proof oc academix performance during the third semester to continue receiving financial support. However, there are no reminders from scholarship offices or similar entities. Therefore, the following deadlines apply for submitting proof of academix performance for the student grant:
- by December 15th for the winter semester
- by May 15th for the summer semester
If you cannot provide proof of the ECTS credits required for the student grant by the deadline, you still have the option to submit proof of at least a minimum level of academic progress. This way, you won’t have to repay the funds that have already been disbursed. However, if you forget to submit proof, in the worst-case scenario, you may have to repay the entire amount.
P.S.: You’ve earned all the ECTS credits and your student grant is guaranteed, but you don’t necessarily want to spend it on an expensive apartment? Then why not secure a room in one of our Home4students student residences in Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, or at one of our other locations in Austria? That way, you can use your money for other things and still have a great place to live while you study!